Living Judaism : The Complete Guide to Jewish Belief, Tradition, and Practice
by Wayne D. Dosick

In Living Judaism, Rabbi Wayne Dosick offers an engaging and definitive overview of Jewish philosophy and theology, rituals and customs. Combining quality scholarship and sacred spiritual instruction, Living Judaism is a thought-provoking reference and guide for those already steeped in Jewish life, and a comprehensive introduction for those exploring the richness and grandeur of Judaism. Celebrating the pluralism of the contemporary Jewish community, Living Judaism acknowledges and honors the broad spectrum of Jewish thought and the wide variety of Jewish observance.

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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Judaism

You're no idiot, of course. You know that in the Jewish religion Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement and that Saturday, known as the Sabbath, is the day of rest. But when it comes to understanding Jewish traditions, rituals, prayers, and holidays, you feel like you're parting and crossing the Red Sea without God's help. Don't put your life preserver on just yet! The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Judaism, written in a warm, conversational style by Rabbi Benjamin Blech, is a fun and easy-to-understand primer to every aspect of this ancient faith.

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Jew Vs. Jew : The Struggle for the Soul of American Jewry

Jew vs. Jew is Samuel G. Freedman's passionate story of the "struggle for the soul of American Jewry." Freedman believes that three fundamental questions are rending the American Jewish community today: "What is the definition of Jewish identity? Who decides what is authentic and legitimate Judaism? And what is the Jewish compact with America?" Exploring these questions leads Freedman down a number of wild paths. He listens patiently to the fierce neighborly squabbles in Great Neck, New York; he reconstructs the tension-filled final days of a labor Zionist summer camp in the Catskills; he witnesses orthodox Jews attacking American conservative Jews worshiping at the foot of the Western Wall. Freedman expertly sketches the major conflicts in American Judaism--"secularist against believer, denomination against denomination, gender against gender, liberal against conservative, traditionalist against modernist even within each branch." The book's conclusions (such as "America without Jews is unimaginable, and the brave assimilationists made that possible, even if the price was much of their own distinctiveness as Jews") are not particularly groundbreaking. But Jew vs. Jew is a thoughtful and beautifully written assessment of the precarious situation of Jewish identity in America today. --Michael Joseph Gross --

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The Torah
by Rodney, Rabbi Mariner (Introduction)
A translation from early in the century by the Jewish Publication Society is graced by reproductions of ancient frescoes, medieval illuminated manuscripts, and paintings by contemporary Ethiopian Jewish artists, as well as all key scriptural readings for Sabbath and festival services shown in the Hebrew script of the Torah scrolls. 20,000 first printing.

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Living a Jewish Life : Jewish Traditions, Customs, and Values for Today's Families
by Anita Diamant, Howard Cooper (Contributor)
Jewish tradition is a gift and a challenge. Living a Jewish Life is your guide to the cultural and spiritual treasures of Judaism, explained in ways that address the choices posed by modern life. From hanging a mezuzah to celebrating a wedding, from lighting Sabbath candles to choosing a synagogue that's right for you and your family, you will find "why-to's" and "how-to's" in these pages, which are tuned to both the realities of the modern world and the timeless, grounding rhythms of Jewish tradition.

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The Book of Jewish Belief
by Louis Jacobs

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The Book of Jewish Practice
by Louis Jacobs

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The Complete Book of Jewish Observance
by Leo Trepp, Leo Tripp

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Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus : New Insights from a Hebraic Perspective
by David Bivin, Roy B. Blizzard
Reviewer: A reader from Houston, Texas
This is one of the best written books about the words and sayings of Yeshua the Messiah. It presents a crisp, complete, concise understanding about Yeshua's teachings. Are the words of Yeshua really difficult to understand? Yes, very much so if you do not know that He was born into a Jewish, Torah-observant home, kept the commandments of G-d and taught others to do so, and most importantly, spoke Hebrew. This is the key to understanding the difficult words of Yeshua....that He spoke Hebrew. Only if we discipline ourselves and learn to read the Scriptures through eastern eyes rather than western eyes can we really appreciate the teachings of our Messiah. His words explode with deeper meaning for us as we begin to view them through the eyes and culture of the Jewish Messiah. Every time we read His words, we need to ask the question, "Where did He get that from in the Torah?" After all, He is the living Torah. This book should be in the library of every serious talmid (student) of the Bible.

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Jesus the Jewish Theologian
by Brad Young, Marvin R. Wilson, David J. Wolpe
Jesus the Jewish Theologian establishes Jesus firmly within the context of first-century Judaism and shows how understanding Jesus' Jewishness is crucial for interpreting the New Testament and for understanding the nature of Christian faith.

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Our Father Abraham : Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith
by Marvin R. Wilson
This volume delineates the link between Judaism and Christanity, between Old and the New Testaments, and calls Christians to reexamine their Hebrew roots so as to effect a more authentically biblical lifestyle.

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The Parables : Jewish Tradition and Christian Interpretation
by Brad H. Young
Reviewer: A reader from Texas
I have used this book as a resource in teaching an adult Sunday School class series on the parables of Jesus. It provides detail on the Jewish environment of Jesus' time and a perspective not found in the usual Bible study materials.

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Restoring the Jewishness of the Gospel
by David H. Stern
Reviewer: candycoated from Amarillo, TX USA
This book is short and enlightening. It is a wonderful start for the person beginning to seek understanding of the Jewish context of Christianity. You will see the story unfold of the "church" Jesus intended to establish; of the Jewish origin of Christianity; and of Jesus' life in the Jewish culture. Then, learn how Judaism and Christianity can and will be restored as one. Lastly, learn why your wrong if you think the "law" was the old testament. Order "The Parables" by Brad Young or "Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus" by David Bivin, with this book, because you will be thristy for more truth.

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Jewish New Testament Commentary : A Companion Volume to the Jewish New Testament
by David H. Stern
In this companion volume to his widely and highly acclaimed Jewish New Testament, Messianic Jew, Dr. David Stern, offers an exciting and original way of understanding the New Testament from a Jewish point ot view.

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Jewish New Testament
by David H. Stem (Translator)
Reviewer: Geoffrey S Robinson from Trenton, NJ USA
Unless one is using the original Greek, which I don't, one should try to have a few translations at hand. This is one I fully recommend having, because it will bring out the inherent Jewishness that is already in the text. This is long overlooked, and it is great that this translation exists. One should be warned that it is only one translator, so bias can more easily creep into the translation. But for what it does, it does well. I would not use it as my sole New Testament, but I would and do use it. I especially love reading the four gospels in this translation.

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Commentary On the Jewish Roots of Romans
by Joseph Shulam, Hilary Le Cornu
Reviewer: Brenda P. Dixon from Atlanta, GA USA
Joseph Shulam is familiar with the traditions, practices, and history of his people - the Jews. Joseph Shulam is Jewish, but he is a Messianic Jew, which means he believes the Messiah has already come, and the Messiah is Jesus Christ. His life is an example of being on the front lines of faith, and he has been threatened, beaten, shunned, and hated because of his beliefs.
Shulam is a Biblical scholar, as well as an authority on Jewish customs and history. He brings a totally different point of view into this in-depth study of Romans because of his dual heritage.
Dedicated students of the Torah and the Bible will want to add this excellent book to their collection.

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